My washer started making a loud WHUMP-WHUMP-WHUMP-WHUMP when the brake is engaged (after each spin cycle). It does it the entire time the drum is slowing down and only while it is trying to brake.

I did some reading and some suggested changing the drive block. I bought the drive block and was thwarted in trying to get the original one off without the special tool - so I gave in and called a repair person. He played around a bit and ascertained that the issue was not the drive block, and instead was either the clutch or the brake.

He charged $80 and said it would be another trip and ton of money to fix it. He then said that he believed me to have the know how to change the brake/clutch myself.

I took it apart, expecting to see something physically broke and save having to change the whole thing. I took everything apart, and could not see ANYTHING physically broke with either the clutch or the brake. I next took the brake completely apart, and put it back together again. Hand testing, it appeared to work fine. I put the whole washer back together again, and viola the problem went away... for about four loads of laundry.

I once again have ripped it apart and it AGAIN looks fine. My first thought was brake shoes ($20). I have a hard time with this, as they look fine to me. The calipers, do not look bent or damaged and the pads do not look excessively work when compared to pictures on-line. Thus, I sincerely don't believe the issue to be the shoes. I was toying with the idea of changing the entire brake ($80), which I don't want to do if it is overkill - and I believe I have to remove the drive block to change the entire brake (again, I do not have that goofy tool, and banging it with a screwdriver does not work!).

Can anyone shed any light on this?
Brake shoes?
Entire brake?
If I need to change the entire brake, does the drive block need to be removed?

The noise is very loud. Not something that sounds like WD-40 would fix. Also, when it makes the noise, the brakes do not seem to be working as they should - the drum takes longer than usual to slow down (about 7-10 seconds).

When the clutch is supposed to activate the brake, it looks like it is supposed to rotate the oblong metal block about a half turn, thus activate the brake. Could something be wrong in that it's moving the oblong block into position but it isn't locking in the brake position - and instead is rotating the block which would cause the brake to engaging and disengage, making the WHUMP-WHUMP-WHUMP noise?

You're going to need a new basket drive or spin tube is another term for it the new spin tube will come with the shoes for the clutch and istuctions what spring to use They never do show wear unless your eye is trained to see it ......the bad thing you'll still need the spanner wrench

Gene - not diss'in you. I was offering more information that I may have neglected to mention. Wanted to see if you still believed WD-40 would fix it - no disrespect meant. My wife was hawking me to get it back together again, so I tried WD-40 while putting it back together. It unfortunately didn't help.

I am going to see if I can get a wrench from someone to save me $35.

Thanks again for the advice all you guys! I will investigate the spin tube idea.

Man - dropping on a new washer after only 6 years would be miserable! I've fixed washers and dryers before, I can fix this. Proof... I know what a wig-wag is.

I finagled a spanner wrench to check the drive block. Rookie question - when I turn the spanner wrench it turns the entire basket. How do I lock the basket in place so I can really reef on the nut on the drive block to loosen it?

and...

richappy - I unfortunately believe you might be right about the transmission plastic. I entered "replacing direct drive brake shoes" in the search to see the post you are referring to, and it bring up several posts that really don't sound related. Can you be more specific on the post?

After I get the nut off...
1) I'm going to change the drive block, since I already bought one before this expedition.
2) If that doesn't fix it, and the spin tube teeth look okay, I am going to have to believe that you are correct.

If I stop the spin cycle that is making the thump thump thump noises, I can manually turn the drum and feel/hear it "catch", as you are referring to.

Someone tell me how to lock the tub and I'm on to the next step!!!

Thanks a million all of you! If you need a computer or arcade game fixed, let me know - I owe you!

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